The Seed, My Feet, And More... :) Shangy!
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~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~
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))))). .:::. ,((((((
))))))))). :. .: ,(((((((('
`))))))))))). : - : ,((((((((((((
))))))))))))))))_:' ':_((((((((((((((('
`)))))))))))).-' \___/ '-._(((((((((((
`))))_._.-' __)( )(_ '-._._(((('
`))'---)___)))'\_ _/'((((__(---'(('
`))))))))))))|' '|(((((((((((('
jim `)))))))))/' '\((((((((('
`)))))))| |((((((('
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>-->Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :)
This one is smokin! It comes from forwards from 3 of our
friends - Sandi, Del, and James! It is one that should
bring a few Smiles - it sure did me! Check it out here...
/:""| .@@@@@,
|: 66|_ @@@@@@@@,
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) / =' @@@@"
/`\\ \(```
|| |Y| //`\ ."~~~~~".
|| |#| / | || | .:. |
|| |#| \ | || A | /6 6\ |
|| |#| / | || |~|_|_\ e /_|_ .@@@@,
:| |=: / | |\ |_|)___`"`___(8 aa`@@@,
||_|,| | |_| \ |~~~~~~~~~| = `@@@
\)))|| | ((( | \_________/ )_/`@'
|~~~`-`~~~| `~\~~~~~~| |/ /_\ \| / || @
| | `\ / ()/___\() | || @
|_________| ( || ||~~~~~|| /~|| "`
|_________| | || || || /__W_\
| || | || || || |||
|_||__ __|_|| ||_____|| _|||
jgs (____)) (:;:;)) ||-----|| ((___)
Parenting No-No's
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/parenting.html
---
...Wowsers! Shocking to say the least!
Thanks Sandi, Del, and James!
=================================================================
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.====^^\\==.
|\ || |\ kya
:X"====^^===='
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>A Debt to the Future Story Editor:
by Harriet Kay Joyce Schowalter
Massachusetts, USA
In 1967, my husband and I were starting our life after college, and
we were pretty poor. Russell had an entry-level job that didn't pay
much, we had college loans, and had made some stupid choices with
credit cards, so we had lots of debt to deal with. Our son was born
that summer, and I had to stop working and stay at home with him,
which only compounded the financial squeeze.
We were living in an apartment in Evanston, Illinois, a moderately
affluent suburb north of Chicago. We got involved socially with a
large group of couples of various ages, some from our church and
some connected with my husband's job at Northwestern University.
They all had children, we shared many common values, and they gave
us helpful hints about raising our son.
This active group of people went many places and did many things
together. We enjoyed being with them. Even though we often couldn't
afford to go with the group, they always made us feel welcome when
we came.
Toward the end of that first summer they planned a picnic, and
invited us. I asked what I could contribute. "Oh, bring some potato
chips," my friend said.
I figured there wouldn't be much food -- just hot dogs, chips, and
lemonade -- and was relieved that I didn't have to spend more than a
few dollars on the event. I bought two large bags of the least
expensive brand of potato chips I could find.
However, when we got to the state park, I found a veritable feast
laid out. Heaps of chicken and watermelon, big bowls filled with
homemade salads of all kinds. Even homemade ice cream and cake.
There we were with our two bags of potato chips. I felt mortified
and thought about leaving. I told a close friend that I was terribly
embarrassed to have brought so little.
"Oh nonsense," she said. "In a few years it'll be your turn to bring
the chicken."
Today Russell and I are starting to think about retirement and our
son is grown. The century has turned and it's the year 2000. Yet I
still remember that picnic and how our friends made us feel included
and valued for who we were -- not what we had.
Their generosity stuck with me all these years, and it's shaped both
my feelings about others and my behavior in helping them.
We couldn't possibly pay back all the people who brought chicken for
us when we were unable to afford it. We're scattered all across the
country, and we've lost touch with them. But that's not the point.
The chicken we enjoyed 32 years ago is a debt my husband and I owe
-- and will always owe -- to the future.
It's not an obligation to be paid back but rather a promise to pay
forward. We still have lots of younger friends who have trouble
making ends meet. Nowadays, we bring the chicken.
=======HeroicStories=======
>-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo:
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>The Seed
A successful Christian business man was growing old and knew it was
time to choose a successor to take over the business.
Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to
do something different. He called all the young executives in his
company together.
He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I
have decided to choose one of you. "The young executives were shocked,
but the boss continued."I am going to give each one of you a SEED today
– one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and
come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the
seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and
the one I choose will be the next CEO"
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others,
received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story.
She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted th e seed.
Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After
about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk
about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept
checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five
weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their
plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by--still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had
killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had
nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just
kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company
brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that
he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest
about what happened. Jim felt sick at his stomach, it was going to be
the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was
right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he
was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They
were beautiful—in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the
floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young
executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants,
trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you
will be appointed the next CEO!" All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim
at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial
director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The
CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his
seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down
except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young
executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive!
His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his
seed. How could he be the new CEO the others said?
Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a
seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back
to me today.
But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible
for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and
plants and flowers.
When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another
seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and
honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one
who will be the new Chief Executive!"
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
If you plant hard work, you will reap success
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
If you plant faith in Christ, you will reap a harvest
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap
later.
Two thousand years ago Paul wrote to the church at Galatia the same
story but with fewer words, "What you sow, so shall you reap". (Gal.
6:7)
We are grass that will wither and die but the incorruptible seed of
Gods Word will live forever - sow it daily into the life of your
family! (1Peter 1: 23 - 25)
If God brings you to it,
He will bring you through it.
-<>-
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; :. :
( 7: )
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>Are You Jesus?
EXCUSE ME, ARE YOU JESUS?
As you read this think about what you would do!
"Excuse me, Are you Jesus?"
A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales
convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be
home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with
tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over
a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere.
Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane
in time for their nearly missed boarding.
ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his
feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose
apple stand had been overturned.
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of
them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and
explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal
where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did.
The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears
running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time
helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about
her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put
them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did
this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised;
these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl,
"Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She
nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't
spoil your day too badly."
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called
out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those
blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"
He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way
to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about
in his soul: "Are you Jesus?" Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's
our Destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot
tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind
to His love, life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would.
Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to
church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.
You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised
by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on
a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.
-<>-
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>This is your moment
Let go of your criticisms about how things should have been, and you'll
see the magnificent possibilities of now. Let go of your worries about
what might be, and you'll be able to focus on all you can do right now.
Stop putting your energy into making excuses and use that energy to
take action. Quit fretting over getting it perfect and put your focus
on being effective.
You have now arrived at a unique moment that is filled with countless
possibilities. You can make something truly valuable out of it.
You have the real and powerful ability to imagine, and then to put that
imagination into action. You can call together all you've experienced,
and everything that is most meaningful to you, and to create from it
all your very own gifts to life.
There is abundance all around you, and with a little focused,
determined effort that abundance is yours to enjoy. Choose to connect
with the best within you, to make that effort, and to live with true
richness.
Get up, get inspired, get moving and get involved in making a positive
difference. This is your moment to come fully to life.
-- Ralph Marston
-<>-
_..--""-. .-""--.._
_.-' \ __...----...__ / '-._
.' .:::...,' ',...:::. '.
( .'``'''::; ;::'''``'. )
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\ `/`; ;`\` /
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>"Elephants In Church"
A circus parade was moving gaily through the streets of Milan, Italy.
Suddenly one of the elephants veered from the line and marched into a
church. [In Milan, church doors are large, and in the summer are often
wide open.] This visitor wandered up the center aisle, trumpeted a bit,
swung her trunk around and headed back to the parade. Unfortunately,
many humans seem to imitate this pious pachyderm. On a Sunday morning
we lurch into church, make a few noises, observe the congregation, then
step out to resume our place in the parade. The great drama of worship
is played out, but it is lost on us. We are elephants in church!
-<>-
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@@ . /=xX *-_.-*~'^`~*-_. ._-*~'^`~*
@@ / `. /= `-_. `~*-_-*' @@
@@ `./ ,/=. `~*-_._-*~'^`~*-_. @@
@@ ~o`./ `~*-_._-*~'
@@ < `./ .\!/, @@
@@ xX ~' }(((`. ~~ @@
@@ xX .{{ } )))) |% @@
@@ xX / %. ( (( ~-_ _% '%|\\ @@
@@ ._xX / % . %) ) ~-~ %'`,__/ @@
@@ | )%-_- % . % -__ % @@
@@ xX`- % /% . %| ~~--~~' ._-*~'^`~*-_. @@
@@ xX % ~-__-~ %&&&% `~*-_. ._-*~' `~*-_._-*~'^
@@ .' % \`~*`~*-_._-*'^`*-_._-*' @@
@@ .' % ~. @@
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@@ `. _-~ \ \ %.-~' @@
@@ .|_~~~~ \ !_ @@
@@ |**|~~; `._-' !~-. @@
@@ |**| ; ~-./*\ ~. @@
@@ |**|-; Risk
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk failure.
But risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk
nothing.
If you risk nothing and do nothing, you dull your spirit.
You may avoid suffering and sorrow, but you cannot learn, feel, change,
grow, love, and live.
Chained by your attitude, you are a slave.
You have forfeited your freedom.
Only if you risk are you free.
Author Unknown
-<>-
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\ _.-~`'~-._ _\_.-+'`'`+-._\
ag `,' `---`
>Ten Guidelines From God
Effective Immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need
to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that
I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness
in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I
am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these 10
guidelines:
1. QUIT WORRYING: Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and
worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and
carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little
thing that comes your way?
2. PUT IT ON THE LIST: Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on
the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one
to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to
Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all ... God. I can
take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were
ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you
never even realize. Just ask me to.
3. TRUST ME: Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take
them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all
your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put
them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems
with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I
want to help you. All you have to do is ask.
4. LEAVE IT ALONE: Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm
feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do
you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple You gave Me your
burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and
cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems
back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and
forget about them. Just let Me do my job.
5. TALK TO ME: I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was
making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know
I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please,
don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your
voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life.
I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply
you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.
6. HAVE FAITH: I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see
from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust
Me; you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care
for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust
Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you
have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?
7. SHARE: You were taught to share when you were only two years old.
When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are
less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need
encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in
such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to
cry. Share your faith with those who have none.
8. BE PATIENT: I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could
have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult,
have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so
many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can
you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you
expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My
timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only
six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.
9. BE KIND: Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love
you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same
way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My
sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too
boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your
differences.
10. LOVE YOURSELF: As much as I love you, how can you not love
yourself? You were created by me for one reason only -- to be loved,
and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your
neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see
you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious
to me. Don't ever forget......
Touch someone with your love. Rather than focus upon the thorns of
life, smell the roses and count your blessings
-<>-
>Links for Your Enjoyment
gagvid0048
http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121106.htm
gagvid0079
http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121107.htm
German Ad for Cat Food
http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121108.htm
gesto de amor1
http://www.buffalosjokes.com/121109.htm
Nothing Like A Good Book
http://www.buffalosjokes.com/60545.htm
Cookie Blues
http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21727.htm
Dentyne
http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21728.htm
Dogs
http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21729.htm
Domino
http://www.buffalosjokes.com/21730.htm
Self Talk
http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/selftalk.html
Curse Of The Law
http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/curseofthelaw.html
Choose His Children
http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html
God's Little Love Notes
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/notes.html
Tale Of Two Swallows
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/swallows.html
Ten Life Tips
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifetips.html
Elephant Hotel
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/elhotel.html
Miracle Coyote
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/coyote.html
Miracle In Utah
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/utah.html
Visit our site at www.inspiredbuffalo.com
If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines
visit www.buffalosjokes.com
===============================================================
>-->From Heartwarmers:
o oo
o o o
___o o o
/`._;o o
| / o
;_ |
`-' jg
Bags of candy
>MORE TREATS THAN TRICKS
by Pamela Perry Blaine
"What are you going to be?"
One child would say to another when the weather turned cooler and
the leaves began to fall. That was the big question heard around
Baring, Missouri, our small town, back when I was a child.
October 31st was drawing closer and that was when children dressed
up in costumes and pretended to be someone else. It was also the only
time of year that small children were actually allowed to be out after
dark. They were not alone, but were led around by older siblings and
friends as they learned how to knock on doors and say, "Trick or Treat."
Quite a lot of thought was put into our costumes so that others
would not be able to guess who we really were, or so we thought. There
was also competition over who could be the scariest or come up with the
most original costume.
The first time I remember going trick or treating was with my
neighbor, Joyce Mayer. I thought that was wonderful because Joyce was
a teenager and I wanted to be just like her when I grew up and have
pretty clothes and wear make up.
Joyce took me by the hand and we started down the road with a
brown paper bag and flashlight in hand. We were off for my first trick
or treat experience. We went to a house or two and I thought this was
the best idea ever to just knock on a door and someone handed you candy.
The next stop we made was Father Carew's house. I was excited
because Miss Marie would be there since she was his housekeeper and
also my first grade teacher. I knocked on the door and nothing
happened. We waited and then the door slowly opened and it was dark
inside and then this scary white monster came to the door. I was
terrified but Joyce took my hand to lead me away when all of a sudden
Miss Marie appeared and said, "It's okay, Pamy, it's just a trick."
That was my first initiation into the "trick" part of the trick or
treat idea. At that age, I didn't understand much about it but I knew
Miss Marie was not a threat. I even got another handful of candy in my
sack as Miss Marie showed me that the giant scary monster was simply a
hall tree covered by a white sheet. She pushed it back into the house
and all was well.
At some houses where we stopped the people would pretend to be
surprised or scared out of their wits when they saw us in costume.
After recovering from their horrible fright, they would ask us to
reveal who we really were as most of the people at our stops seemed to
enjoy the parade of children and costumes as much as we enjoyed
dressing up.
One year, I dressed as Sacagawea, complete with a papoose strapped
to my back. Mrs. Dorothy Lawson had children's books in her classroom
and I was intrigued with the story of Sacagawea -- Bird Girl.
Unfortunately, my costume was lost on those who weren't history buffs
or had studied Lewis & Clark, but Mrs. Lawson understood.
I remember at the McManus house we signed a book because they
liked to know how many children came and they always gave us lots of
treats.
As we moved through the neighborhood, we received all kinds of
treats such as apples, popcorn balls, cookies, gum, and candy. Children
quickly passed the word as to where to go for the best treats. In
those days, parents didn't even consider checking their children's
sacks for anything harmful because the most harmful thing we ever
received was probably a tummy ache from too much of a good thing as we
devoured our sack full of treats.
It was interesting to drive around Baring the next morning. One
year there was a pair of underwear flying from the school flagpole. The
worst thing I remember happening was when some outdoor toilets were
pushed over. This was not acceptable behavior in our community,
especially when one of the outdoor toilets had someone in it.
Fortunately, nobody was hurt but somehow our principal, Mr. Kimble,
find out who was responsible and made those boys go apologize and then
set the toilets back the way they were supposed to be. I don't know
how Mr. Kimble knew things like that but he always did.
It was difficult to get by with anything in Baring. We had a
neighborhood watch long before anyone even thought about putting up
signs to that effect. Why warn the culprits ahead of time that they
were in trouble?
A small town is a good place to spend a childhood and Baring,
Missouri, was such a place where there were always more treats than
tricks.
-- Pamela Perry Blaine
______________________________________________
Pamela lives in Missouri and writes "Pam's Corner" for her local
newspaper. Many stories have been published in magazines, newspapers,
and books. She is church pianist and has a CD of songs she has
written. Her goal is to write to encourage and to preserve family
history for her children. Pam's website: http://www.blaines.us
/PamyPlace.htm
=============================================================
>-->From CupO'Cheer:
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>THANKFUL FOR A PURPOSE
by Heidi Lynn Poakeart
I was eighteen years old, fresh out of high school with a
bright future to look forward to, when I received the
devastating news of a cancer diagnosis.
This was a big deal for someone my age to endure.
However I chose to fight the battle instead of wallowing
in self pity.
After major surgery and four months of radiation
treatments, I overcame my obstacle and emerged a new
person -- someone who took nothing for granted and a
person who learned to appreciate everything and everyone
around me.
Years passed and I received my certification in medical
assisting, met a wonderful man, moved to New York and got
married. Truly, life couldn't have been any better --
however, I still felt something missing and longed to
find my purpose.
Having donated to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis,
TN, for years, I had always felt a connection and empathy
toward the children living with cancer who were being
treated there. What a truly magnificent place, especially
knowing that no patient was ever turned away regardless of
ability to pay. The hospital exuded living, and that is what
I was all about.
As my 20-year anniversary of being a cancer survivor
approached, I wanted to do something special and
unforgettable.
I organized a fund raiser, calling it "A Mission of Love," and
thanks to my generous family and friends, raised $4,000 for
St. Jude's, planning to deliver it myself. Three quarters of
the money would be given as a monetary donation to the
hospital, and what was left would go toward purchasing toys
for the children. I also had arranged with the hospital a
t-shirt painting activity for any child who felt well enough to
participate.
Thanksgiving Day seemed the most appropriate day of the
year for the mission, and so it was all arranged. My
husband and I flew to Memphis with 50 t-shirts and a huge
bag of fabric paint in tow the day before Thanksgiving. We
went to the toy store and filled three shopping carts with all
kinds of toys piled high to the sky. It was as though we
were small celebrities when the employees and other
shoppers became aware of what we were doing.
On Thanksgiving Day, as we pulled into the front gates of
St. Jude, it was quite literally my dream come true. I
became extremely emotional, as my eyes welled with tears
of happiness.
After dropping the toys off, we went to a lounge area
where there were six children waiting anxiously to begin
painting. They picked out their shirts and my husband and
I helped them get started. To me, it was as though they
weren't even sick, and to see them smile was one of the
greatest gifts I could have ever received. When the activity
was over and we wished the children well, we dropped off
the monetary donation to an extremely grateful staff, and
then our visit came to an end.
Leaving there that day, I knew I had finally found my
purpose.
Going to St. Jude filled a feeling of emptiness inside of me
that had existed for as long as I could remember, and it
genuinely changed my life.
I was thanked for giving a donation to a charity that saves
lives, but being able to give thanks for my experience was
priceless.
"All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don't discover
why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in
life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others."
-- Danny Thomas
-- Heidi Lynn Poakeart
Heidi says, "I am 39 years old and a 20-year cancer survivor.
I live in Westchester County, NY, with my husband and cat.
I am currently writing my autobiography and have several
short stories published on a few different sites on the
Internet, including Heartwarmers. I love Heartwarmers and
always look forward to my weekly story."
-<>-
,,,,,
////""\ .
(((/ m m -|- __
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////-./~` . []
(((( `.`\ :: []
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(() `._.-'` _( )[]
)/ `. | .'`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^))\`.----'`[]
jgs ( \' { ~ - ~~ _ ~ - ~~ - ~ - (( | | []
.-.--\ \ { )) | | []
|_;_._`\ |{ ((__|_|-----[]
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| /``-.____/ `~~~[]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'-' []
`' (__) (__)
>SWEETER EACH DAY
Jesus, wonderful Shepherd and Guide,
You've been with me all the way.
You've lived in my heart since I was a child,
and You are more precious today.
You sought me out - a little lost lamb,
and gathered me into the fold,
and are still leading me on at a gentler pace,
now that I am growing old.
And I thank You, Dear Lord, for the rivers we crossed,
that You never left me alone,
that Your beautiful presence grows sweater each day
on our way to my heavenly home!
Alice Hansche Mortenson
as seen in Inspiration Plus
To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail
with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to
cheer316@sc.rr.com.
========================================================
>-->From LaughAndLift:
.-----.
/ `
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'-' `.-).' (.\``
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>REJECTION
(By Lysa TerKeurst)
[Minor editing]
"For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never
forsake his inheritance." Psalm 94:14 (NIV)
A few months back I got a phone call I'd been hoping for
over 15 years to receive. It was the slightest crack in the
doorway of a dream.
I was hesitantly excited. When you have wanted something
for a long time and it comes close to becoming a reality, it's
thrilling and terrifying all at the same time. Suddenly, your
heart shifts from neutral into this vulnerable place where
acceptance co-mingles with rejection. And you are all too
aware things could go either way.
Following the call, I packaged up my application to send and
let my mind prematurely celebrate.
Then I waited.
And waited.
And nothing.
Feeling like a foolish girl who'd bought a prom dress before
actually being asked to the dance, I sheepishly called to
inquire whether or not my application had been received.
I was told it had been and if I hadn't heard anything yet,
I should assume it was a "no."
Ouch.
That's when you go sit on your back deck, close your eyes,
and decide whether to let the tears slip quietly down your
cheeks or blink them back in an act of courageous defiance.
Rejection stinks.
I mean it really stinks.
It stunk when Saxon Palmer didn't ask me to couple skate in
the 5th grade. It stunk when my Dad left our family. It stunk
when I thought I was getting engaged at the very dinner my
college love broke up with me. It stunk when each of my
book proposals for years were declined by publishers. And it
stunk when I sat on my deck and processed this situation.
Sometimes things like this just simply stink and there's no
cheery rainbow or pot of gold around the next corner. The
music doesn't crescendo as the hero in the story scoops you
onto the side of his horse and the two of you ride off into
the sunset to live happily ever after.
Sometimes it just is what it is. And that's that.
But [we] have a beautiful promise tucked in our pocket that
lets us smile even when tears puddle in the corner of our
eyes. Even when there's no rainbow, pot of gold, or
galloping prince, we have the promise of redemption.
On the other side of every death there will always be a
resurrection of some sort. Maybe not a resurrection of our
circumstances. And maybe not a resurrection of things lining
up like we thought they should. But there will be a
resurrection. Jesus has ensured that.
Nothing in this world can permanently strip hope from our
lives when we know we do "not follow cleverly invented
stories...about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ" but we follow the reality of the Risen One (2 Peter
1:16, NIV). He is our resurrection.
He is our hope.
He is that beautiful reminder that rejection from man never
means rejection from God.
And He is the one who is weaving a story into our life that
will one day make sense.
"Dear Lord, I know You suffered the sting of rejection in a
much more intense way than I ever will. And while this
rejection is small in the grand scheme of life, it feels huge in
my heart right now. Will You help me process this? Will You
help me see past it? Will You let this fragile heart feel the
warmth of Your acceptance and love today? In Jesus' Name,
Amen."
Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor
life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the
future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV)
Isaiah 54:10, "'Though the mountains be shaken and the
hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be
shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the
LORD, who has compassion on you." (NIV)
-<>-
: :
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>My Feet?
(Author Unknown)
I was just thinking about the last supper in John 13. Can you imagine
what the disciples must have been feeling in that moment. Imagine being
Peter. Jesus comes to you to wash your feet. What!?!? Wash my feet???
This is Jesus! You have followed Him for three years. You have soaked
three years in the most revolutionary teachings. You have witnessed Him
heal blind, crippled, paralyzed, diseased people. You've seen broken
people's lives changed. Demons cast out. 5000 men fed with a boy's
lunch - two fish and five barley loaves. At the command, "Come," from
Jesus...you walked on water...think about that. Come-on Jesus! Wash my
feet!??? You were there with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. You
heard the actual voice of God, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased." Wash my feet! How crazy does that sound? Jesus assuming
the role of a slave...a servant...washing my nasty, sandal wearing,
dirt road covered feet.
Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him,
"If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." John 13:8.
Wow! "No part with Me." That will stop you cold and make you think. We
all need Jesus to clean us. Back up to verse 6. Then He came to Simon
Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord are You washing my feet?" Verse 7,
Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand
now, but you will know after this."
How many times do we find ourselves in this very place. Things look
wrong, out of place...this isn't the way it is supposed to be. It's out
of the natural order. "Lord are You washing my feet?".....Are You
working in this area of my life? This trial, these
circumstances.....are You washing me? If only Jesus would come with a
towel and a basin of water and wash me. But to mess with my life. I
don't really want this. I just want to do my thing. It's not that big a
deal...not really. I'm with You, Lord, but let me alone in this area or
that. Not my feet Lord.
It won't be a towel, nor a basin of water. What is the Lord using to
cleanse you? Take a deep look at the things in your life. Ask Jesus to
show you the towel and basin He is using for you. It will be people,
circumstances, issues...the things of life. Jesus' goal is not to take
these things and use against you; but to release you from what you
don't see as binding, into what He knows is for your best. Psalm 138:8
puts it so wonderfully, "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your
hands."
Sometimes things don't look right, they look crazy. But, trust the
Lord. He knows the plans He has for you. "Plans of good and not of
evil, to give you a future and a hope." Put your faith and trust in
Jesus and follow His leading. Open and closed doors. "What I am doing
you do not understand now, but you will know after this." After what?
After you stop surrendering to the circumstances and surrender to the
Lord of them.
John 13:9, Peter said to Him, "Lord not just my feet only, but also my
hands and my head!"
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=================================================================
>-->From SermondFodder:
>The Confession
The judge read the charges, then asked,
"Are you the defendant in this case?"
"No sir, your honor, sir," replied Bob,
"I've got a lawyer to do the defendin'.
I'm the guy who done it."
-<>-
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>BRING THEM SAFE TO THE HAVEN OF REST
A small sailing vessel was wrecked of the coast of Ireland. The
life-saving crew went out and took off all that they saw; but when they
were leaving the wreck, they looked back and saw one poor fellow
clinging to a spar, whom they had overlooked.
Some asked, "Shall we go and get him?"
Others said: "No, we cannot do it. We should be dashed onto the rocks
by the fury of the waves, and all perish. Better to lose one than all."
When they landed, one young man said, "If somebody will go with me, I
will go and get the man on the wreck."
His mother was there, and she put her arm around his neck, and said:
"Don't go. Stay with your mother. Your father was a sailor, and was
lost at sea. Your brother William went to sea years ago, and you know
we have never heard from him. And now if you go and perish, I shall be
alone."
But he kissed his mother, and said, "Mother, I am going after the man
on the wreck." Then he and the one who volunteered to go with him got
into the boat,and went out through the darkness, the fog, and the roar
of the breakers.
The people on the shore watched and waited long, peering into
the fog. By and by they saw a boat coming, trying to make the shore.
After a while, it came near enough that the people on shore called.
They said, "Did you get the other man?"
The young man replied, "Yes, I got him; and tell mother I got my
brother William."
He went and found his lost brother. That is your work and mine. There
are many Brother Williams that are wrecked. May God help us to get
them, and bring them safe to the haven of rest.
=================================================================
>-->From Our Friend DonnaL :)
\\\
____ ________```
\ =|- [________] \
| =| | _ | | \ __
ejm |__=|- O--(_) `.______.' \ O=======(__)
/|\
(/(|(\
>Recipe for Friendship
Fold two hands together
And express a dash of sorrow
Marinate it overnight
And work on it tomorrow
Chop one grudge in tiny pieces
Add several cups of love
Dredge with a large sized smile
Mix with the ingredients above
Dissolve the hate within you
By doing a good deed
Cut in and help your friend
If he should be in need
Stir in laughter, love, and kindness
From the heart it has to come
Toss with genuine forgiveness
And give your neighbor some
The amount of people served
Will depend on you
It can serve the whole wide world
If you really want it to
-<>-
The harder you fall, means the higher you can bounce
back.
~ Unknown
-<>-
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>Pessimists vs. Optimists
A pessimist is an optimist with experience.
A pessimist is a Man who looks for a pink slip before
the money in his pay envelope.
A pessimist is someone who feels bad when he
feels good, for fear he’ll feel even worse when he
feels better.
A pessimist is a man who thinks all woman are
bad. An optimist is one who hopes they are.
An optimist invented the jet; a pessimist, the
ejection seat.
An optimist laughs to forget; a pessimist cant
remember the last time he laughed.
The pessimist calls the police to report a
disturbance of the peace when opportunity knocks.
Answers to the joke: How many pessimists does it
take to screw in a light bulb?
-None, its just a waste of time since the new
one probably wont work either.
-None, why bother, the new one will eventually
burn out as well.
-None, the burned out one is probably stuck
and can’t be removed.
A typical pessimist joke: How does one make
God laugh? Tell him your plans for the future.
-<>-
______
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|-===wwwwww|\ , , , , , /|
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'-..______..\'._____.'/
jgs `'-----'`
>A Sweet Taste of Heaven
By Susan Foshee
Denise loved watermelon. As a little girl she couldn’t get enough of it
come June. Her father and I always had to keep an eye on her and
those sticky black seeds. Denise was known to spit them at her brother
and sister when we weren’t looking. “Denise!” I’d scold when I caught
her in the act. Denise would giggle and flash her trademark grin.
At 16 Denise had lost none of her mischievousness. Not even when
she was diagnosed with cancer. She had a kidney removed, then
radiation treatment. My heart broke, but through it all Denise put up
a brave front. The cancer came back, and exploratory surgery was
our next course of action. I dreaded what it might reveal. “I’m not
afraid,” Denise kept insisting. “I know God is with me.”
As playful and fun-loving as Denise was, she had a deep, serious
faith. We went together to the revival at our church just before her
surgery. I hoped the visiting minister would have fresh words of
reassurance for us.
Denise and I sat down and the minister took the podium. He let a
moment of silence go by before he began. “I don’t know exactly what
heaven will be like,” he said. “But there’s one thing I’m sure has got
to be there.” He looked from person to person. “Watermelon!” he
said with delight. “Sweet, juicy watermelon, fresh from the patch.
When I get to heaven I’m going to have as much watermelon as I
want.” Everybody laughed.
Denise nudged me with her elbow. “Me too,” she whispered. She
gave me that grin. I frowned at the minister. Maybe he could make
jokes about heaven, but I couldn’t. Not with us so unsure about the
state of Denise’s health. Besides, heaven was a place to rest after
a long, full life. Heaven was peaceful and serene. It was no place
for a girl who still turned cartwheels out on our front lawn. God,
she’s so full of joy. Please don’t take that from her. I had to force
myself to sit through the rest of the meeting.
When Denise’s father and I took her to the hospital, we didn’t talk
about heaven. We stuck to happier subjects. What we would do
when Denise was better, the new football team at the high school,
and the garden I was planning for the yard. Jack and I settled into
her room. “We’ll be here when you wake up,” I told Denise as the
orderly wheeled her away.
“I know, Mom,” she said, her grin wide even now.
After the surgery was over, the doctor met us in his office. Our
worst fears had come true. The cancer had spread to Denise’s
spinal cord. It was too far advanced to treat. “You may be able to
take her home in a few days,” the doctor told us, “but she won’t
have much time after that.”
'Mom, do you see the angels?'...
I moved as if in a fog to Denise’s hospital room, where she was
still sleeping off the anesthesia. I looked at her face, trying to
memorize it forever, all the details, down to her pierced ears. That’s
what she’d wanted for her sixteenth birthday. We went down to the
mall and picked out her first pair of earrings, small pink gems. Could
it really have been only seven months ago? God, I don’t know if I can
ever begin to accept what’s going to happen. I couldn’t even think it.
Slowly, Denise came to, groggy at first. I sat with her into the night.
We talked about little things. She dozed on and off. “You’re really
going to start a garden, Mom?” she asked. I nodded, swallowing
my tears. Denise would never see it bloom. I tried to picture her at
peace high above the clouds. But that didn’t seem like my Denise!
Denise played jokes, did unexpected things, performed somersaults
, spit watermelon seeds. Would she be different in heaven? Would
I even recognize her?
Denise’s gaze wandered through the room, but she was quiet.
“Mom?” she said finally. “Do you see the angels?”
I looked around. “What do they look like?” I asked.
Denise’s face softened into her sweet, playful grin. “Really pretty.”
It was strange to think Denise was seeing God’s glorious angels and
grinning like a girl who’d just gotten her brother right smack on the
cheek with a watermelon seed. Then I remembered that minister,
how he described heaven as a place full of joy and life, full of
watermelon. Maybe he was on to something, after all.
Denise didn’t mention her angels again. She got weaker and weaker
over the next 24 hours. We never got to bring her home. She died
in the hospital three days after her surgery. It was springtime, the
perfect time to start a garden. I got as far as spreading soil, but my
heart wasn’t in the job.
One morning, I stood looking at the rich, fresh dirt. I imagined how
the bed would look in full bloom. Hostas and ferns, perhaps. Impatiens
of all colors. A garden bursting with life. Just like that lively
heaven the minister had described. I wanted to believe that place
existed. I tried to picture Denise laughing and joking as she’d done
on earth. I was about to walk away when I noticed a thick green
vine half hidden in the soil. Jack and the kids didn’t know what to
make of it. We decided to wait and see what grew. Over the next
few days leaves appeared and light yellow flowers bloomed on the
vine. I didn’t plant this, I thought to myself when football-shaped
melons showed themselves. Not just any melons, but the biggest,
brightest watermelons I had ever seen.
We cut one open one night after they’d ripened and each had a
slice. I reached for seconds, knowing somewhere in heaven Denise
was probably joining us—and gaily spitting seeds at the angels.
Why shouldn’t heaven be full of joy and laughter? How could it
not be, with Denise there?
---
...Lovely ones! Thanks DonnaL!
=============================================================
>-->From Our Friend James :)
>Quotes:
__
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unknown
Grace is God's love in action
for those who don't deserve it.
~ Robert Schuller
There is nothing but God's grace.
We walk upon it; we breathe it;
we live and die by it.
~ Robert L. Stevenson
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...Well said! Thanks James!
>Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy!
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http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html
FUN URLS
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-->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN
HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN!
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-->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chrristian Foundational Class
http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST!
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-->This is for all you who love food and DAARE to make it at home Yep.
You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy,
good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :)
Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes:
http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html
Home Recipes
>Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE:
Share
A Recipe
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